Across Japan, each region has its own locally rooted sake and sake breweries.
Enjoying local sake unique to the place you visit is surely one of the great pleasures of travel.
The Bikan Historical Area in Kurashiki also has a locally rooted sake brewery, producing local sake beloved by the community.
That brewery is “Morita Shuzo Co., Ltd.,” known for its sake brand “Mannenyuki.”
It is the only brewery in the Bikan Historical Area, and has been making sake since the Meiji period. It produces around 50 varieties of Mannenyuki.
Morita Shuzo also remains committed to traditional methods, continuing to create distinctive products.
Let’s explore the history, appeal, and craftsmanship behind Morita Shuzo and Mannenyuki.
The information presented was current when this article was published in August 2022. Please note that it may differ from current information.
Morita Shuzo, the only brewery in the Bikan Historical Area, known for Mannenyuki
Morita Shuzo is a sake brewery in the Bikan Historical Area in Kurashiki.
This long-established brewery has been making sake since 1909 (Meiji 42). As of 2022 (Reiwa 4), it is the only brewery in Kurashiki’s central urban area, including the Bikan Historical Area.
Morita Shuzo is along Honmachi-dori, directly opposite the south approach entrance to Achi Shrine.
The sake made by Morita Shuzo is sold under the brand name “Mannenyuki” and has long been popular with local residents of Kurashiki.
As of 2022, Morita Shuzo makes an impressive around 50 varieties of Mannenyuki.
The brewery continues to actively produce sake, remaining committed to traditional methods while also developing new products.
The neighboring food select shop, “Oishii Mono Boutique Heisuiken”
Next door to Morita Shuzo, on its west side, it also operates “Oishii Mono Boutique Heisuiken.”
Oishii Mono Boutique Heisuiken is a shop built around the concept of a “food select shop.”
A wide selection of delicious foods from Japan and abroad, personally chosen by Morita Shuzo’s representative, Morita Shoichiro, fills the shop.
Oishii Mono Boutique Heisuiken is visited by many people, from local customers to visitors in Kurashiki for sightseeing or business.
Morita Shuzo’s sake is also sold at Oishii Mono Boutique Heisuiken, and can be ordered online.
For details, see the Oishii Mono Boutique Heisuiken website.
Brewery, garden, and tea room tours available (reservation required)
Information as of August 2022 (Reiwa 4). Prices include consumption tax.
Morita Shuzo also offers brewery tours.
Reservations must be made at least one week in advance, and the fee is 1,100 yen.
Tours are not available from November 1 through February 28 of the following year, when sake is being brewed.
In addition to the tour, visitors can sample three kinds of sake and receive an original souvenir.
The brewery tour also includes a visit to Morita Shuzo’s Japanese garden, “Koroku no Niwa.”
Koroku no Niwa has a history of around 400 years and is the oldest surviving private garden in Kurashiki City.
The garden offers a variety of plants to enjoy throughout the seasons.
Visitors can also see the tea room, “Heisuiken,” along with Koroku no Niwa.
Heisuiken faces Koroku no Niwa, and the tea room offers beautiful views of the garden.
The name “Oishii Mono Boutique Heisuiken” comes from this Heisuiken.
Popular and recommended products
Information as of August 2022. Prices include consumption tax.
Morita Shuzo makes around 50 varieties of sake under the Mannenyuki brand.
Here are some of Morita Shuzo’s popular products and recommendations from the brewery.
Mannenyuki Mishibori-shu Junmai Kiippon Arabashiri
“Mannenyuki Mishibori-shu Junmai Kiippon Arabashiri” (500 ml, 1,577 yen) is one of Morita Shuzo’s signature sakes.
It goes on sale every year from December 20.
Arabashiri is a popular sake that usually sells out by around early September of the following year.
Arabashiri is the sake that first drips from the pressing bag when fermented mash is placed in the bag and pressed.
Arabashiri is the first sake released after brewing begins for the year.
In a single day, about 2,000–3,000 500-milliliter bottles of arabashiri are collected.
The collected arabashiri is kept chilled at 2°C, the temperature at which the sake’s maturation stops.
It is then shipped out gradually. Because its maturation has stopped, you can enjoy its fresh, just-pressed flavor.
Arabashiri is also called “aromatic sake” and is known for its rich fragrance.
When I tried it, its pleasant sake aroma spread through my mouth, and I could taste a moderate sweetness.
I found it easy to drink, with a clean, crisp flavor.
Mannenyuki Morita Daiginjo Nama-zake Premium Daiginjo Sake
“Mannenyuki Morita Daiginjo Nama-zake Premium Daiginjo Sake” (500 milliliters, 3,146 yen) is, as its name suggests, a limited-release sake.
It goes on sale around late January each year, and stocks usually run out around the end of June.
Many customers choose Morita Daiginjo Nama-zake Premium Daiginjo Sake for special occasions, such as giving it as a gift or serving it at celebrations.
When I tried it, it had a crisp impression, and I enjoyed its very rich yet refreshing flavor.
Morita Daiginjo Nama-zake Premium Daiginjo Sake received a Gold Award at the National Sake Appraisal for fiscal year 2013.
Mannenyuki Funashibori Junmai Sake
“Mannenyuki Funashibori Junmai Sake” (500 milliliters, 944 yen) is available year-round.
It has a full-bodied, rich flavor and can be enjoyed at room temperature.
It is also delicious chilled in summer or served as “nurukan” (gently warmed) in winter.
Perhaps the appeal of Funashibori Junmai Sake is that it can be enjoyed throughout the year.
The “funa” in funashibori refers to the pressing machine used in sake brewing.
Mannenyuki Gekikara Honjozo Extra-Dry Sake
“Mannenyuki Gekikara Honjozo Extra-Dry Sake” (500 milliliters, 847 yen) is, as its name suggests, a dry sake.
Among sake from the Chugoku region, it is particularly dry.
“Dry” sake means that it has “little sugar.” It does not contain spicy components; it simply means that it is “not sweet.”
Gekikara Honjozo Extra-Dry Sake is a summer-style sake best enjoyed chilled.
When I tried it chilled, I found it very crisp and easy to drink.
Gekikara Honjozo Extra-Dry Sake was also developed as a “food-pairing sake” to drink with a meal.
As a result, it does not overpower food, but instead brings out the deliciousness of the dishes.
It pairs perfectly with sashimi made from white fish.
It is a bottle you’ll want to have on the table during summer.
Mannenyuki Unpressed Junmai Arabashiri Honmachi Awayuki
“Mannenyuki Unpressed Junmai Arabashiri Honmachi Awayuki” is a sparkling sake (a carbonated sake) (300 milliliters, 835 yen).
It is arabashiri with carbonation added.
When I tried it, I enjoyed its fresh flavor along with the fizzy, sparkling carbonation.
I found it to be a refreshing sake.
Awayuki is said to be a popular sake during the hot summer months.
Some customers also enjoy it like champagne, such as for a toast at a party.
As the carbonation dissipates, be sure to drink Awayuki on the day you open it.
Morita Shuzo continues to brew sake using traditional methods.
I interviewed its representative, Morita Shoichiro.
Morita Shuzo Co., Ltd. details
| Organization name | Morita Shuzo Co., Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Manufacturing (sake brewing) |
| Representative | Shoichiro Morita |
| Year established | 1909 |
| Address | 8-8 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-422-0252 |
| Website | Morita Shuzo Co., Ltd. |
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